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Published: Friday, 15 November 2024 at 09:30 AM
The percussion family: meet 5 important instruments played by hitting, scraping or shaking
Read on to discover about the exciting percussion family of instruments…
Being a percussionist covers a multitude of similar, though not identical, transferable skills. Percussion instruments are essentially anything that you hit, scrape or shake, and the multi-tasking nature of this often suits those musical personalities with a low boredom threshold.
Occasionally, however, demands are made that have to be fulfilled by specialists – cimbalom and tabla are examples that spring to mind and, to a lesser extent, Latin percussion. These are areas that require separate study (due to their specific techniques and cultures), though there are some players who can move from one to another with ease.
Usually an essential component of a symphony orchestra, percussion players also perform in chamber groups and are increasingly performing as soloists, as younger players are getting to grips with broader and deeper technical demands. The combination of greater instrument availability, more varied and better teaching materials, inspirational professionals and, crucially, serious composers writing serious repertoire, has raised expectations far beyond what was envisioned 40 years ago.
Among those composers who have written for solo and chamber percussion are: Bartók, Errollyn Wallen, Steve Reich, Thea Musgrave, James MacMillan, Jennifer Higdon, Milhaud and Xenakis.
Below are five important members of the percussion instrument family…
Marimba
A wooden (usually padauk or rosewood), tuned instrument based on the piano and struck by mallets. The layout is the same as a xylophone, but each bar is wider and – as a minimum – it has an octave range a third lower.
Timpani
Large, round-bottomed drums, often considered the bedrock of orchestral percussion playing. They They are tuned and when hit gently they can sound similar to a pizzicato double bass. There are two tuning mechanisms: hand tuned or with a foot pedal, which are quicker to operate.
Congas
These are one of the most recognisable ‘Latin’ percussion instruments. Developed in the early 20th century, and of Yoruba Afro-Cuban descent, they are long drums, played standing up. Often confused with bongos, they require special playing techniques using different parts of the hand, and exemplify danceable South American grooves.
Cimbalom
Evolving from gypsy culture, this national instrument of Hungary is from the dulcimer family and looks a bit like the inside of a piano. The strings are hit with light hammers, producing a mysterious but resonant sound.
Tabla
A pair of hand drums which produce an extraordinary array of sounds, though the sound world is recognisably South Asian. Used in Hindustani Classical music, techniques involve the fingers and heel of the hand. The musical patterns are complex and culturally significant.